News & Updates

Two Anti-BDS Legislative Initiatives are up for a Vote This Week!

Take action now to protect the right to boycott Israel for its human rights violations of Palestinians!

As early as tomorrow (Tuesday, 5/12), the U.S. Senate may vote on fast-track trade legislation, which includes an anti-BDS provision. See US Campaign’s action alert here and call your Congress members today!

In Illinois, SB 1761 has now been assigned to the Executive Committee of the House, and a hearing is scheduled for Wednesday the 13th at 10:00 am. See the updated alert below or Facebook invite here for details on how to act now!

We must act now to stop this bill being pushed forward to punish companies that protest Israel’s human rights and international law violations. This bill is an attack on the growing strength of the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions.

If the bill gets out of committee and passes, Illinois retirement systems will have to spend valuable resources to blacklist and withdraw investments from companies that choose not to do business with Israeli companies – including those based in the Occupied Palestinian territories – because of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.

In the past few years, the Methodist Church has voted to boycott settlement goods. Presbyterian Church USA voted to divest from companies complicit in the Occupation. Does Illinois really want to be on the wrong side of history this badly?

SB 1761 has now been assigned to the Executive Committee of the Illinois House, and a hearing is scheduled for Wednesday the 13th at 10:00 am.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO STOP THIS BILL WHILE IT’S STILL IN COMMITTEE BY TESTIFYING ONLINE.

You can submit a witness slip in opposition to the bill here – it only takes a minute. When filling out a witness slip, indicate “opponent,” “record of appearance only” if you don’t plan on being there in person. Those who will testify in committee must have filled out a slip indicating “opponent,” “oral testimony.” Remember to fill out the “Representation” section with the organization you are representing or with “self” if you are only representing yourself. Be sure to use full words with no abbreviations or punctuation.

Once you’ve done that, call Executive Committee Chair Dan Burke to urge him tostand up for our right to boycott Israel for its human rights violations and stop the politicization of the pension system by stopping SB 1761 in committee! His contact information is available here and more talking points are below.

Here are some more talking points:

SB 1761 forces state pension fund administrators to blacklist companies that boycott Israel or businesses that operate in “territories under the control of Israel.” Illinois should not be shielding Israel from boycotts protesting human rights abuses and settlements, which are illegal under international law in what is considered occupied territory by the U.S. government.

Boycotts to address human rights issues are a First Amendment protected form of speech and association that have an important place in US history as a way for people to address injustices collectively.

The Illinois legislature should not further burden the beleaguered pension systemwith politically motivated investigations. This is being done at a time when Illinois has the lowest credit rating and worst funded pension system among the 50 states.

Thank you for your action, and stay tuned for more ways to pitch in!

The Illinois Coalition to Protect Academic Freedom and Free Speech was formed in response to anti-boycott legislation introduced in the Illinois State Senate. The Coalition includes the Center for Constitutional Rights , CAIR-Chicago, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, Palestine Solidarity Legal Support, Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine, Arab-Jewish Partnership for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, Friends of Sabeel: North America, American Friends Service Committee- Chicago, United States Palestinian Community Network, , Just Foreign Policy, American Muslims for Palestine, Chicago Area Code Pink, Muslim American Society Public Affairs and Civic Engagement – Chicago.